High Voltage Electrician (Craftsman-in-Training)

About the role

This is NOT a full level journeyman position. The objective of WAPA's Craftsman-in-Training (CIT) program is to recruit journeyman-level craftsmen with knowledge and experience that is relevant, but less than required at the journeyman level for this occupation at WAPA. This open and continuous announcement establishes a standing register of eligible applicants.

See Additional Information section.

What you will do

• The Craftsman-in-Training Program is designed to train, appraise, and develop craftsmen as they progress through various stages of an occupation to become fully competent journeymen.
• The standard length of time in the program for each trainee is two (2) years.
• The 2-year program consists of four levels, with 6 months at each level.
• At the full performance (journeyman) level, you will: Install, construct, commission, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment in high voltage switchyards, substations, communication facilities and power operations centers.
• Substation station service systems, station grounding systems, alternating current. and direct current distribution and control system wiring, terminate, splice, direct bury high voltage cable up to 34.5 kV.
• Safely operate vehicles up to 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) and vehicles of larger GVWR rating as required by the job location.
• Heavy equipment associated with substation maintenance may include utility trucks, skid steers, trenchers, tractor-trailer combinations, back hoes, aerial man lifts, loaders, diggers, cranes, snow vehicles and snowplows normally used in construction and maintenance activities of transmission line, substation and communication facilities.
• Construct and commission new substations, stage additions, or infrastructure replacements or additions.
• Perform switching in high voltage substations and switchyards.
• May receive clearances and hotline orders.
• Operate and maintain oil processing equipment such as oil filtration pumps, auxiliary oil heating units, oil degasification units, cryogenic or refrigerated moisture traps.
• Climb substation equipment and structures.
• Provide technical guidance and training to apprentices and to other craft employees.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period.
• Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
• A Service Agreement of up to 2 years is required for this position.
• This position requires the ability to operate a Government vehicle.
• The incumbent must be at least 18 years of age, able to obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification and have a valid state driver's license.
• Defensive Driver's Training will be completed upon employment.
• The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate vehicles of more than 26,000 pounds GVWR.
• The CDL must be obtained within 120 days of employment, or longer if outside the control of the employee.
• The incumbent must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required.
• The incumbent must wear Arc Rated protective clothing when in proximity to exposed energized circuits.
• The incumbent is subject to the random drug and alcohol testing program established by the Department of Energy.
• The position requires a pre-appointment and annual physical exam at Federal expense.
• The incumbent of this position is subject to inclement weather conditions such as high temperatures, rain, sleet, snow, and extreme cold.
• This position may be subject to regular and recurring overtime.
• Overtime may be on short notice to include nights, holidays, and weekends in support of related mission requirements.
• This position requires the incumbent to climb structures averaging 65 feet in height.
• This position requires a climbing weight not to exceed 310 pounds with all required gear and personal weight without gear not to exceed 280 pounds.
• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally fly in a fixed wing aircraft or helicopter during the performance of assigned duties.
• The position may require nationally accredited crane certification for fixed and/or swing boom cranes.
• If so, training will be provided at Federal expense.

Education

For this position, education cannot be substituted for experience.

How you will be evaluated

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for High Voltage Electrician positions in the 2810 series. Under the DHA, applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement will be referred for consideration.

Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply under the DHA process. Appointments made under the DHA are processed as "new" appointments. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Ability To Use and Maintain Hand Tools (Electrical Work) Ability to Use Electrical Drawings Knowledge of Electrical Equipment Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Theory and Instruments (Electrical, Electronic) Used in Shop and Trade Practices Troubleshooting (Electrical) Career Transition Assistance Programs: If you are eligible for career transition assistance, such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the Education and Qualification requirements to be referred for consideration.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (11/27/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click ***

Documents you must provide

• duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
• Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
• It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated. You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS.

You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings. You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. This open and continuous announcement establishes a standing register of eligible applicants. Applications received by 09/18/2026 will be considered for the first referral.

Applications received after 09/18/2026, but by 10/19/2026, will be considered for the second referral. Applications received after 10/19/2026, but by 11/27/2026, will be considered for the final referral. The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive.

You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized. This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period.

A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.